Connecticut’s economy was built largely on ocean-based enterprises, such as whaling and ship-building. Submarines were invented in CT, explorers discovered Antarctica and recovered the British ship Resolute (from which the Oval Office desk was made). Many nautical missions have started here - some successful and some ending in tragedy. Not only does Connecticut have a strong history with the high seas; it’s also home to 19 picturesque lighthouses that dot the state’s shoreline. We’ll have photos.

Tue, Jun 24, 2025; 6:00 p.m.

Durham Public Library

(open to the public; registration is required)

It’s the largest water body in Connecticut - a beautiful recreational facility with 70 miles of coastline that sports multi-million-dollar mansions and 46 billion gallons of water that supports flotillas of recreational watercraft. And yet, the primary purpose of 100-year-old Candlewood Lake is to generate electricity using incredibly unique hydro power technology. This award-winning project meant the flooding of two villages and the creation of engineering marvels that are still awe-inspiring a century after they were built.

Mon, Jul 21, 2025; 6:30 p.m.

Ridgefield Public Library

(open to the public - registration recommended)

Stone mile markers were placed along Connecticut's earliest earthen turnpikes starting in the 1700s. Around 600 were placed at one-mile intervals along these turnpikes. An estimated 100-150 remain. Where were they measuring to and from? Who placed them? What was Ben Franklin’s involvement? How did they measure a mile? Where can you find them?

Wed, Jul 23, 2025; 6:30 p.m.

Cheshire Public Library

(open to the public - registration recommended)

Of all the legendary figures who have come through New York, few have had the staying power or notoriety of The Leatherman. For six years during the late 1880s, this so-called "hobo" hiked the same, 365-mile, circuitous route every 34 days like clockwork. Residents could predict when he would return to their town. While The Leatherman kept to less populated towns, he always slept in caves. Wearing a self-made leather suit from head to toe, he shunned conversation. A journalist claimed to know The Leatherman’s identity, but that later proved to be a hoax.

Wed, Sep 17, 2025; 6:00 p.m.

Yorktown, NY Public Library

(open to the public)

It’s the largest water body in Connecticut - a beautiful recreational facility with 70 miles of coastline that sports multi-million dollar mansions and 46 billion gallons of water that supports flotillas of recreational water craft. And yet, the primary purpose of 100-year-old Candlewood Lake is to generate electricity using incredibly unique hydro power technology. This award-winning project meant the flooding of two villages and the creation of engineering marvels that are still awe-inspiring a century after they were built.

Thu, Sep 18, 2025; 6:30 p.m.

New Milford Public Library

(open to the public)

He walked the same, 365-mile, circuitous route every 34 days - and you could predict when he would return to your town. The Leatherman wore a 60-pound suit of leather that covered him from the hat on his head to the boots on his feet. Three people are primarily responsible for compiling the information we have on him today - although the mystery remains: who was he? Nobody knows, even though a hoax was perpetrated on the public in the 1800s that lived on for decades. You’ll hear the story at this presentation.

Tue, Sep 23, 2025; 6:30 p.m.

Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Waterbury

(open to the public)

Some of them are hidden by underbrush and virtually invisible while others are proudly displayed in clear settings. They are the few remaining stone mile markers in Connecticut. In the 1700s and 1800s, about 600 of these stones were installed along the state’s original dirt turnpikes. Over time, they have dwindled to fewer than 150 remaining. For the curious, they can be deceptively difficult to locate, even with an address in hand. To the hobbyist, finding one brings huge satisfaction. Learn about the evolution of signage from colonial days to the present and see where many of these stones can still be seen.

Mon, Oct 27, 2025; 6:30 p.m.

Fairfield Woods Branch Library, Fairfield

(open to the public - advanced reservations advised)

Artist Peter Toth spent several decades traveling the U.S., sculpting wooden statues depicting the Native Americans in each state – and then donated his work for free to that state. At least one statue was made for each state. But, the Connecticut statue is no longer standing and finding information about its past, its whereabouts, its status, and its future prospects is nearly impossible to come by. I found the statue and will tell the amazing story.

Wed, Nov 12, 2025; 12:30 p.m.

Litchfield Community Center

(open to the public - free lunch served; registration required)

Nobody has ever been charged by Scotland Yard in England with being the notorious murderer Jack the Ripper. But a Connecticut woman, Florence Maybrick, did spend time in jail in England, after being convicted of killing her husband - who some people claim was the infamous killer. She lived out her life after prison in western Connecticut, incognito, and only a handful of persons knew her true identity until after she died. Was she guilty? Was she framed?

Wed, Dec 3, 2025; 6:30 p.m.

Cheshire Public Library

(open to the public - registration recommended)